MP backs local baseball drive

Eastleigh’s MP Mims Davies has backed a local baseball team’s drive to get more people into the sport.

The Southampton Mustangs are the current reigning National baseball champions but they train in Eastleigh and the borough is home to many of their players.

Every Sunday afternoon the first team – as well as beginners and kids of all ages – meet for training sessions at Toynbee School in Chandler’s Ford and Mims Davies dropped by to join in, taking turns to bat and bowl with the young “Mini-Mustangs”

Afterwards the MP exclaimed:

“It’s nothing like rounders!”

“I loved it, it’s really accessible and everyone can get involved.

“If you can get more kids out on a Sunday afternoon burning off their lunches and dinners away from the X-box that’s brilliant.”

The MP, who is a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the department of Culture, Media and Sport, also praised Toynbee School for its policy of community sports provision.

“Schools do shut their doors far too much all across the country

“It is complicated and difficult to leave the doors open to allow the community to use the facilities but seeing events like this happening we want to encourage it.”

Mustangs Vice-president and first team coach Ben Davies told Eastleigh News that the Southampton Mustangs originally formed at Southampton University over 20 years ago.

Mims Davies with Mustangs 1st team coach Ben Davis

Last August they defeated defending National Champions the London Mets over a three game series to clinch their first National Title which also puts them into European contention.

Ben Davis said the club wants to develop their youth section:

“We want to keep growing we want to see more youth teams. I’d like to see a youth league in the Southampton area with multiple teams.

Davis stressed that people can take part whatever their fitness level.

“For kids it means not being sat in front of a computer screen, it means getting out and getting active; there’s a social aspect and it develops skills and coordination.

“Anybody can come and do it. You can get off the couch and come and play, plus it’s a really fun game”